2002 Scouting Report: Pitcher, Aaron Heilman

Calvin Young

07/23/2002

Aaron Heilman was the Mets' 1st selection in the 2001 draft out of Notre Dame University. Heilman compiled a 36-4 record in his final 3 seasons at Notre Dame when he was a 3-time All-American. He also pitched for TeamUSA in 2000 as the #2 SP behind Lenny Dinardo. Bob Keppel stayed with Heilman when he visited Notre Dame.

Heilman has not been quite as dominant at Binghamton as anticipated. He hasn't improved his split-fingered fastball or change up as I expected. Nonetheless, he's maintained solid ratios: 7.8 hits per 9 IP; 2.8 BB per 9 IP; and 9.0 K per 9 IP. These ratios indicate that Heilman has pitched much better than the ERA or won-loss record might indicate. He had an outstanding debut at Norfolk. When Heilman struggled at Binghamton it was due in part to relying too heavily on his FB and SL.

Fastball. Heilman's fastball sat at 92-93 mph and tops out at 95 mph. He is not expected to add much if any velocity to his fastball. Heilman's fastball has excellent movement that he can make move run or sink.

Other pitches: Heilman possesses an excellent SL. He has a solid spl.FB and is developing his CU. Heilman also has a rarely thrown curve ball.

Pitching: Heilman is extremely durable and understands how to pitch. He has great command. When Heilman is on his game, he constantly has hitters in 0-1 or 0-2 counts. He works both sides of the plate against both left-handed and right-handed hitters.

Projection: Heilman projects eventually develop into a #1 or #2 starter. To evolve into a #1 or #2 SP, Heilman must substantially improve either his spl. FB or circle CU.

ETA: 2003. Heilman should be ready to start on opening day. He should be a solid #3 pitcher very early on.

Right-Handed Starting Pitchers

Team

Jae Weong
Seo

AAA
- Norfolk Tides

Patrick
Strange

AAA
- Norfolk Tides

Tyler
Walkers

AAA
- Norfolk Tides

Nick Maness

AA -
Binghamton Mets

Jeremy
Griffiths

AA -
Binghamton Mets

Joseph Cole

AA -
Binghamton Mets

Jake Joseph

AA -
Binghamton Mets

Bob Keppel

A - St. Lucie Mets

Josh
Reynolds

A - St.
Lucie Mets

Dave Mattox

A - St.
Lucie Mets

Tanner
Osborne

A - Capital
City Bombers

Luz
Portobanco

A - Capital
City Bombers

Matthew
Peterson

A - Capital
City Bombers

Miguel
Pinango

A - Brooklyn
Cyclones

Adam Elliot

R -
Kingsport Mets

Rafael
Castro

R -
Kingsport Mets

Matthew
Lindstrom

R -
Kingsport Mets

COMMENTS:

Starting RHP represents a strength of the organization. The list includes 14 starters indicates the depth the Mets possess. Heilman, Keppel, Maness, Peterson, Portobanco, Reynolds, and Strange all possess the talent to evolve into front end starters. It's too early to determine Mattox's upside.

1. The Mets organization feels that Tyler Walker now is ready to start at the MLB level. After a slow start due to a tender shoulder that cut short his season in the Arizona Fall League. Tyler Walker has great potential as a closer.

2. Jae Weong Seo struggles continues since having surgery in 1999. Apparently the Mets knew about his arm troubles when he signed in December, 1997. The Mets hoped that rest would cure his elbow problems.

3. Patrick Strange improved his SL, and his command of his SL and FB. He should be ready on opening day 2003. It should soon be time for Strange to add his spl. FB back into his repetoire. Perhaps, on his birthday in August.

4. Nick Maness arguable possesses (4-seam FB+, 2-seam FB, CB+, SL, CU+) the best stuff in the system, however, concerns about the command of his 4-seamer, and his ability to control his emotions raises concerns about how soon he might realize his potential.

5. Robert Keppel is on the same fast track that the Mets had for Strange. But, Keppel's more extensive repetoire (4-seam FB, 2-seam FB+, cut SL, spl. FB and CU) than Strange at the seam age means he should not struggle as much as Strange did when promoted to Binghamton. He's also working on a knuckle CB.

6. Josh Reynolds is having a break out season in 2002. Reynolds still has a lot of development of his secondary pitches to undertake. If not, he has the potential to become a great closer.

7. Dave Mattox has come on very quickly. He was promoted to St. Lucie after starting at Columbia. His pitches have excellent movement.

8. Matthew Peterson struggled early in the season, but he has come lately. In his past 4 starts, he has a 4-0 record, pitched 25 innings allowing 3 runs, issuing 5 BB and striking out 38. His ERA was 1.08 over that stretch. He possesses the best upside in the system.

9. Luz Portobanco's repetoire is excellent stuff, but he needs to improve his control especially his CB and CU.

10. Jason Weintraub, Miguel Pinango, and Adam Elliot are excellent SP prospects. Weintraub has tremendous projectability and could be the best long range prospect. Elliot and Pinango also look like very good prospects, Matthew Lindstrom and Rafael Castro may also be worth watching.

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